Buju Banton Announces “Too Too Bad” Album, Signals Return to 90s Dancehall Sound

Grammy-winning reggae icon Buju Banton has announced his upcoming album Too Too Bad, set for release on July 17, promising fans a “real dancehall ting.”

Buju Banton promises a “Real Dancehall Ting” (Photo: Jamie Crawford-Walker)

Grammy-winning reggae legend Buju Banton has announced his upcoming album Too Too Bad, set for release on July 17.

The reggae and dancehall icon revealed the title and release date via Instagram on Thursday, describing the project as a “real dancehall ting.”

The announcement arrives alongside the release of the visuals for his latest single “Butterflies,” which dropped in April. Produced by Supa Dups for Black Chiney Music and released through Gargamel Music and VP Records, the track rides a reimagined version of the iconic Real Rock riddim. The single may offer an early glimpse into the direction of the project, leaning heavily into the authentic early-1990s dancehall sound that helped launch Buju Banton into stardom.

Among the producers attached to the album is Disco Neil, one-half of the hitmaking duo alongside Silent Addy, who shared his excitement online, writing: “Blessed to have produced one of the tracks.”

The title Too Too Bad appears to draw inspiration from Too Bad, Buju Banton’s 2006 album rooted in the raw, hard-hitting dancehall energy that helped cement him as one of Jamaica’s defining acts of the 1990s. The 17-track project featured one of Buju’s most renowned records, “Driver,” where the deejay rode Sly and Robbie’s iconic Taxi riddim with a smoother, late-night delivery.

If Too Too Bad follows that same thread, it could signal another strong return to dancehall for Buju Banton, whose more recent projects have explored reggae, soul, R&B, and crossover influences.